NHL Playoffs 2012: Rangers vs. Sens Game 3 Could Be Turning Point of Series

The second game of the New York Rangers' first-round matchup against the Ottawa Senators had the tone set early on, and as a result Game 3 has the potential to be a turning point in the series. With the series tied at one game apiece, the Rangers will be facing off against a very motivated Senators team in Ottawa's home arena.

There were tons of punches, body checks and questionable hits on both sides over the course of Game 2. As a result, it is likely that at least one player from both sides will be suspended for their actions.

The heavily favored Rangers are now in a dangerous situation as they head into Game 3. The Ottawa Senators are now very motivated and are out for blood and revenge. The Senators wanted to be more physical in Game 2, and that was evident in their starting lineup when Matt Carkner and Zenon Konopka, healthy scratches in Game 1, were dressed.

After the events of Game 2, it doesn't matter if the Senators come up short in this series after seven games. Now the Senators are motivated to bruise, batter and defeat the Rangers any way they can. The Senators will exert all their blood, sweat and tears against the top-seeded Rangers.

After losing the first game 4-2, the Senators wanted to set the tone early on in Game 2. The mouthing and jab work started during the pregame skate with both sides exchanging verbal bombs.

The Senators' contingent didn't take too kindly to Rangers forward Brian Boyle roughing up star defenseman Erik Karlsson during a scrum in Game 1. Karlsson had been yapping to Boyle most of the night, and Boyle felt the need to rough up the young star a bit.

In Game 2, Matt Carkner responded to that incident and sucker punched Boyle after receiving a body check. Boyle wanted no part of that early on and was knocked down to the ice, where he received more flurries.

As a result of the melee that ensued, Brandon Dubinsky was ejected as a third man in when he attempted to break up the fight, all while referee Ian Walsh allowed Carkner to punch a downed and defenseless Boyle. Carkner also got the gate for his actions.

The fisticuffs would continue as Zenon Konopka dropped the gloves with Boyle later on in the game.

Both sides started getting edgy when Chris Phillips threw a high elbow at Ryan Callahan at the boards late in the game as a response to rookie Carl Hagelin catching his idol and fellow countryman Daniel Alfredsson with a high elbow of his own. With Alfredsson's condition unknown at this time, it appears Hagelin could miss a game or two.

The series is now tied 1-1, and all bets are off. The Rangers played an uncharacteristic game last night. They were a physical black-and-blue team all year long, but players like Stu Bickel, Mike Rupp and Brandon Prust were nailed to the bench for most of the game.

The Senators snuck back into the game with hard-nosed play and the help of some lucky bounces off the skate of Michael Del Zotto and a deflection off the lower exterior of Ryan McDonagh that went right onto the stick of Chris Neil, who scored the game winner. 

In the blink of an eye, the Rangers went from being four minutes away from a 2-0 series lead to suffering a heartbreaking overtime defeat. If there is one thing to take away from this game, it is the Rangers' resiliency.

All year the Rangers have responded well after a tough loss. The team only had two times in which they dropped three straight games. The Rangers have to bounce back as they head to Ottawa in what is expected to be another physical game. The Rangers did not have a terrible Game 2, but they will review the tape and will have to fix what went wrong to avoid falling into a 2-1 hole.

Konopka spoke to Jesse Spector of the Sporting News and described what Game 3 and the rest of the series will be like.

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“This is old-time hockey, and that’s how hockey’s supposed to be played. There’s going to be a lot of stitches and blood before this is done. It’s going to be a great series.”

“I think you can go over the line—you just can’t jump over the line too far, right?” Konopka said. “It’s a fine line, and it’s something that no one’s bigger than the team, no one’s more important than the team. We take care of each other.”

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On paper, the Rangers are the better hockey team and the more physical of the two. The Rangers did not play that way in Game 2. A loss in Game 3 would be very bad for the Blueshirts, considering how Game 2 ended. Just the same, a win in Game 3 could be a huge turning point in this series.

The Rangers need to get back to playing their game. They need to keep up offensive pressure at all times and do the things that earned them the second-best record in the NHL.

Up to this point, Henrik Lundqvist has done his job. The three goals he surrendered in Game 2 were a result of bad luck and defensive breakdowns. It was suggested that Lundqvist would not be able to play well in the playoffs. He made stellar saves early on that kept the Rangers ahead. Some more goal support would ultimately benefit Lundqvist.

If the Rangers can come out physical, clean and focused on Monday night, there is no reason why they can't defeat the Senators and take a 2-1 series lead. The Senators have been awakened and are now a team to be reckoned with. If the Rangers fall into the trap of trying to punch their way out of situations, the Senators can end up capitalizing at their expense.

The series is tied at 1-1. The dust has settled from Game 2, and once the Rangers find out whether or not they will have Hagelin in Game 3, they can prepare to do battle with the Senators in Ottawa on Monday night.

Tom Urtz Jr. is an NHL Featured Columnist.

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